Inspiration

This past week, I had the opportunity to visit Keith Fritz's Studio with Mrs. Poehlein's art students.  Many of you know that Keith is a Perry Central Alumni and a very well-known furniture maker.  He has made pieces for the Clinton's, Obama's and many other people of this caliber.    When we were there, Keith told our students the story of how he got started, standing in front of his elaborate secretary he made in high school.  He spoke highly about Perry Central, sharing how his school gave him the opportunity to make the single piece of furniture he used to grab famous designer's attention.  This secretary eventually led him to a very lucrative business as he has show rooms all over the United States.  He shared with the students that his parents couldn't even believe that he could open his own business as his very humble beginnings on a small farm in Bristow made it impossible to imagine.  Even though Keith is dyslexic and was not the best in traditional school, he learned that success was found when he pulled from his own strengths.  He encouraged students to never give up
as he showed them some amazing pieces that will be shipped all over the United States.

Keith's inspirational story reminded me of the opportunity we have has a school to impact student's lives.  Not only are we here to ensure a strong educational foundation, but we are here to support our students in their own passions.  We get to be an institution that can see students for their individual strengths and allows for learning to look different for each student as they find their own talents and passions; changing student's life forever. 

As we prepare for the Class of 2019 to graduate from Perry Central Community Schools, it makes me look forward to the impact each member will have in our world.  Thank you to all of our teachers, teaching assistants, cooks, custodians, bus drivers, etc. who have worked hard to touch a student's life.  You are changing the world, one student at a time!

Important Information: 

Senior Walk-Through:  Part of our annual tradition with seniors is to let them walk down the halls of Perry Central to remember their last 12 years.  We will begin the activity at 9:30 a.m.  When we make the announcement for the walk-through to begin, please allow your students to step-out in the hall and wish our seniors well.  Clapping and Cheering are encouraged!  Below is the path we will take:

Start at HS Commons - down high school hall into elementary - go upstairs in 2 story - down back steps through lower elementary - then back up to elementary commons past 5th and 6th grades - back up through high school hall - senior hall is last then out the front doors.  

Just outside the front doors of the school on their way out, seniors will be making a dedication to the Isaac Kemp family. They have painted a beautiful bench in Isaac's memory.

Locker Clean Out: I want to apologize for not getting Locker-Clean Outs finished last week. Below is a schedule that I think will work and not interrupt testing. Please let me know if you have any questions!

10th and 11th Grade: 11:15 (When students are finished, they should report to WIN)

9th, 8th and 7th Grade: 12:15 (When students finish, they should report to 5th period)

     If you are not pulling students during WIN - please step out in the hall and help during this time.

Computer Pick-Up:  We will be emailing a plan to pick up computers.  Students will be able to keep their computers up until their last final is over.  Please keep watch for this important information in your email. 

Final Grades:  If at all possible, we would really like for all teachers to leave Wednesday with their grades finalized.  We will be running report cards on Friday morning.  If for some reason you cannot complete your grades, please let Jody know.  Timely grades are important as colleges are waiting on senior transcripts.  Thank you for your help!  Just remember:  or standards-based books, please make sure your reporting topics are correct and also make sure students do not have incomplete.

Graduation:  All of you are invited to join us for graduation on Sunday, May 26th at 2:00 p.m. in the high school gym.  We will have special seating on the floor by the stage (we will have it marked with a sign).  It is always great to see our teachers here to support our students as celebrate their 12 years of education at Perry Central!

Last Teacher Day:  Wednesday will be our last teacher day.  We will start the day at 8:00 with a retirement breakfast in the elementary cafeteria.  Around 9:30 a.m., we will have another state mandatory training about human trafficking.  (We will send an email with the details of this training.)  Before you leave on Wednesday, please complete the following: 

   * Update your SLO in the SFS system

   * If you are an Ivy Tech instructor, please enter your final grades in the on-line system

   * Check to make sure all textbooks are returned

   * Make sure all posters, etc. are off of your walls for the summer crew to clean properly

   * Finalize all grade books for students.  If you have a special circumstance that will not allow you to complete your grades, please let Jody know ASAP

Important Dates: 

Monday, May 20 - Graduation Practice 9:30 - 11:30 a.m./ Final Exams for periods 1,3,5,7/ Locker Clean-Out (see schedule above)  Varsi

ty Baseball @ Home vs. Heritage Hills 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 21 - Senior Class Trip/ Final Exams for periods 2,4,5,6/ Softball Sectional 5:30 p.m. @ Forest Park

Wednesday, May 22 - Teacher Last Day/ Retirement Party 8:00 a.m. Elementary Cafeteria/ 9:30 a.m. - Human Trafficking Training/ 

Thursday, May 23 - Varsity Baseball Sectional @ South Spencer/ Varsity Golf @ South Central 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 26th - Class of 2019 Graduation   2:00 p.m.    High School Gym

  

Lessons from Mothers

This Sunday, we celebrated our Mother's during Mother's Day.  Mother's Day is always a special day for most of us.  It is a day to reflect on the impact that one person has on our lives.  When I think of my own mother, I think of how she taught me the importance of service to others, selflessness, hard work, and love.  (She also has been trying to teach me how to make those famous brownies of hers for years, but I am still not there!)  My grandmother, who will be 91 in a month, walked a 5K on Mother's Day.  She is one tough lady.  I hope I will have half of the resilience and strength she has!  Both women mean the world to me as they have always been my biggest cheerleaders, making me feel accepted and empowered to do my best to make a difference. 

I feel fortunate to come from a long line of strong, stubborn women who long to give back.  I just hope that I can be half of who they are someday. 

As I think about the our own students in our schools, what mothers give us everyday is exactly what our students need.  Our students need to feel felt, heard, and loved unconditionally. All of us have learned our own lessons from our own mothers, some good and some maybe not so good.  Regardless, we can take these lessons and use them to touch the lives of our students; just as our own mom's have touched ours. 

Hope you had a beautiful Mother's Day Weekend.  Happy Mother's Day to all of you moms out there! 

Important Information: 

Lori Desautel Visit - On Monday, May 13th, Laurie Desautel will have a Lunch and Learn series at Perry Central.  I sent the schedule in your email.  We will ask teachers to please bring their lunches into the library today and listen to Laurie.  It is a great time to get your questions answered about brain aligned work and how to integrate this into your classroom!

Testing Update:  Thanks to everyone who helped with testing the last couple of weeks.  Most of the major testing is finished.  We will need to pull a few students for make-up tests on Monday.  We also have a few certification tests this week as well.

Commodore Pride - Friday, we had a great day of fun with our annual Commodore Pride Events.  I just wanted to send a personal thank you to all of the teachers that helped make the day successful.  Ithink our students really enjoyed it. 

Final Exam Schedule:  Final Exams will be on Monday, May 20 and Tuesday, May 21st.  We are going to change the testing schedule just slightly:  Monday, we will test periods 1,3,5,7  and Tuesday will be periods 2,4,5,6.  Remember that periods will be double blocked.  I know that some of you share with the elementary and may need some help covering classes.  Please let me know what classes those are this week so we can make a plan.  Also, remember that it is expected that students have meaningful work to do on Monday and Tuesday.  It could be the last test for the unit of study you are on, a presentation or some other type of assessment or learning activity.  Please let me know if you have questions or concerns regarding this schedule. 

Field Trips: Just a reminder there are several field trips and AP Tests this week.  Please refer to the End of the Year Calendar found HERE.

Graduation:  The Class of 2019 is one of the largest classes to ever graduate from Perry Central.  With that in mind, we are working on finding ways to ensure the best seating and parking options for our families, students, and guests.  We hope that all of you can join us for graduation.  We will have special seating for teachers this year.  Chairs will be located on the south side of the gym, next to the stage.  We would invite you and your spouse (if you bring one) to sit in this location.  If possible, we would also invite you to park in the bus garage parking area to help save seats for guests.  I have attached the letter that was sent home to parents HERE for you to read.  We have a few changes for graduation.  I wanted to make sure you are informed!


Important Dates:

Monday, May 13 - AP Biology Exam 8:00 - 12:00/ School Board Meeting 6:30 p.m./ Varsity Baseball @ Tell City 5:00/ Varsity Softball @ Orleans 5:00/

Tuesday, May 14 - AP Calculus Exam 8:00 - 12:00/ Varsity Girls Track Sectional @ Home 4:30 p.m./ Varsity Golf @ Lucas Oil @ 4:30/ Varsity Softball @ Hancock County 5:00

Wednesday, May 15 - Scholarship Night 6:30 p.m./ Varsity Baseball @ PC vs. Springs Valley 4:30

Thursday, May 16 - Boys Varsity Track Sectional @ Jasper 4:30 p.m./ Varsity Softball @ South Spencer 5:00/ Varsity Golf @ Springs Valley 4:00

Friday, May 17 - Varsity Softball @ NE Dubois 4:30 p.m./ Varsity Baseball @ Forest Park 5:30 p.m.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!  It is hard for me to put into words what each of you mean to me and this school.  The countless hours, loss of sleep, time away from your own families, and the hope you give to each and every student, each and everyday is remarkable.  The words Thank You, just do not seem like enough. 

This week we plan to feed you really well and give you little gifts of appreciation.. . . but please know that it will never be enough to truly tell you how much of a difference you make. Teaching is a very hard profession - I feel blessed to share this field with all of you!

(Don't forget you get to wear jeans this week!)


Important Information: 

ISTEP Testing - We only have two more days of ILEARN for 7th and 8th grade students and 2 days for Biology testing left!  Yeah!  Please find an updated version of the testing schedule.  I also have a new link to the Biology testing that we will conduct this week as well.  Thank you for your flexibility.  Here is a testing overview:

7th and 8th grade Math - Monday and Tuesday Periods 2-4  (Testing schedule is basically the same.  Teachers giving the test should please pick up an updated packet in the office Monday morning before testing.

Biology ILEARN (9th and 10th grade students in Biology Class) - Wednesday (Periods 2-4) and Thursday during their Biology class

ILEARN Schedule - HERE
Biology Schedule - HERE

Ron Clark Movie - Anyone interested in watching the Ron Clark Movie  - we will start about 3:10 in the high school library!  I promise some great Fiesta Snacks!!  It will be a GREAT movie. If you have kids - they are welcome to join us.  The movie is about an hour and a half.

Commodore Pride - Friday is the BIG day!!!!  We will have Commodore Pride periods 3 & 4 for students in grades 7 & 8 and periods 6 & 7 for high school students.  It is going to be a wonderful, BUSY day!  The weather looks iffy, but the weather looks iffy ALL week!  We will play it by ear - but for now it is Friday.  Looking forward to having a lot of fun with all of you!  (I owe everyone a Junior High Schedule - will have it by the end of the day Monday at the LATEST!)

School Play - The Perry Central Drama Club will have their opening performing to Almost Maine this Thursday night!  The play will run Thursday, Friday(7:00 p.m. start) and Sunday (4:00 p.m. start).  They cast has been working really hard and they are so excited!  I hope you can come out and watch our talented students!

Yearbook Honors - The Perry Central Yearbook staff will be recognized this coming weekend in Orlando, Florida as they have received word that last year's yearbook is in the top 5 in the nation for most spirited Yearbooks!  Mrs. Hagedorn and senior students will be traveling to Florida on Friday!  Thanks for representing our school so well!

BPA National Officer - Congratulations to Janna Neyenhaus for being elected into a National Office position for the BPA Organization.  This is a HUGE honor for Janna.  Thanks to Mrs. Schwoeppe for providing the opportunity for her and for helping her prepare!  We are proud of you, Janna!

Honors Banquet - This Wednesday is our Honors Banquet.  The banquet will be at 6:30 p.m. in the high school gym.  If you can please be at school by 6:15, it just makes me less anxious!  :-)  We will once again go up to the podium as a department and your student pins will be organized on the tables for you.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Thanks for taking an evening to celebrate our students!

Field Trips - Please know that there are SEVERAL field trips the week of May 13th.  I have added the the trips to the End of the Year sheet that we have.  You can find a link HERE.  Please also note the number of AP exams the next two weeks as well.
     
End of the Year Tips:  We learned MANY, new things in Washington DC (that I cannot wait to share)  but one thing that Daniel Pink shared with us is that we can not ever underestimate breaks and movement in the classroom - and the impact that it has on learning.  The research is compelling!  His research aligned very well with Laurie Desautel's work as well.  Laurie posted a great link with many great ideas for the classroom the last two weeks of school.  Please find a link to her article and resources below.  They are SUPER!  Remember - Brain Aligned work is your friend!

Article - Survival Kit for Last Few Weeks of School

Brain Aligned Activities - Brain Breaks/Meditation


Important Dates: 

Monday, May 6 - Art Show/ Varsity Baseball @ H vs. Crawford County 4:30 p.m./ Varsity Softball vs. Crawford County @ H 4:30/ Unified Track @ H 4:30/

Tuesday, May 7 - Art Show/Ron Clark Movie  3:10 - High School Library/ Physical Night for athletes/ Varsity Softball @ H vs. Wood Memorial 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 8 - Art Show/ Academic Honors Banquet  6:30 p.m./ Top 10 high School 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 9 - Opening Night of Almost Maine 7:00 p.m./ Varsity Softball @ Mitchell 4:30 p.m./ Varsity Track @ Mitchell 5:00 p.m./ Varsity Golf @ Christmas Lake 4:30 p.m.

Friday, May 10 - Commodore Pride/ Almost Main Production 7:00 p.m./

Saturday, May 11 - FFA Mother's Day Greenhouse Sale 9:00 - 1:00/ Varsity Golf @ Lucas Oil 12:00/ Varsity Softball @ H vs. West Washington 11:00 a.m./ Varsity Baseball @ H vs. West Washington 11:00 a.m.

Sunday, May 12 - MOTHER'S DAY!!/  School Play Almost Maine  4:00 p.m.